ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the reader to various interpretations of the French polity, namely those based on the revolutionary tradition, subcultural identities, centre–periphery relations and patterns of authority. It uses a modified definition of political culture as an interpretative guide to understand the ideational underpinnings of contemporary French society. In Hoffman's opinion, French political culture combined extreme individualism and authoritarianism. On account of their individualism, French people were reluctant to participate in voluntary associations, such as political parties and interest groups. Thus, French political culture combined a measure of routine authoritarianism with sporadic rebellions against authority. Underpinning Crozier's analysis is the belief that French people are torn between submissive subordination to the state and insurrectional outbursts against it. Understandings of French political culture have long been overshadowed by the work of Hoffmann and Crozier. At best, they described aspects of French society at a particular stage of historical development.
